After a roughhouse challenge from Pepe, Real defender Alvaro Arbeloa tested Costa's patience further by raking his studs down the striker's Achilles tendon as the pair waited for a free-kick.

Revenge served tout suite

Atletico Madrid beat Real Madrid 2-1 to clinch the Copa del Rey final last season. It was the first time Atletico had beaten their city rivals in 26 meetings.

Costa, whose readiness to go to ground under the slightest contact did little to endear him to the Bernabeu crowd, finally saw yellow as he reacted to a challenge from Di Maria and earned a suspension that will keep him out of the second leg.

Even with Costa at his disposal, manager Diego Simone would struggle to wrestle the tie back in Atletico's favour.

When periods of play did break out amid the fouls and stoppages, Real were the more impressive side.

Homegrown 20-year-old Jese looked particularly dangerous for the hosts and got the goal his performance deserved when he nudged home from Di Maria's clever, reverse ball.

By that stage, Real had already taken the lead via a cruel deflection and gone close through a well-struck Luka Modric volley.

Modric did well in defence, clearing off the line to deny Diego Godin an away goal and help ensure Iker Casillas a club record eighth successive clean sheet.

A little over a minute later, a second fortuitous ricochet - this time off Miranda - left Courtois helpless and Atletico almost certainly out of the tie.